# Send Metra Skill to your agent Hand the extracted package to your coding agent with a concrete install brief instead of figuring it out manually. ## Fast path - Download the package from Yavira. - Extract it into a folder your agent can access. - Paste one of the prompts below and point your agent at the extracted folder. ## Suggested prompts ### New install ```text I downloaded a skill package from Yavira. Read SKILL.md from the extracted folder and install it by following the included instructions. Then review README.md for any prerequisites, environment setup, or post-install checks. Tell me what you changed and call out any manual steps you could not complete. ``` ### Upgrade existing ```text I downloaded an updated skill package from Yavira. Read SKILL.md from the extracted folder, compare it with my current installation, and upgrade it while preserving any custom configuration unless the package docs explicitly say otherwise. Then review README.md for any prerequisites, environment setup, or post-install checks. Summarize what changed and any follow-up checks I should run. ``` ## Machine-readable fields ```json { "schemaVersion": "1.0", "item": { "slug": "metra", "name": "Metra Skill", "source": "tencent", "type": "skill", "category": "AI 智能", "sourceUrl": "https://clawhub.ai/brianleach/metra", "canonicalUrl": "https://clawhub.ai/brianleach/metra", "targetPlatform": "OpenClaw" }, "install": { "downloadUrl": "/downloads/metra", "sourceDownloadUrl": "https://wry-manatee-359.convex.site/api/v1/download?slug=metra", "sourcePlatform": "tencent", "targetPlatform": "OpenClaw", "packageFormat": "ZIP package", "primaryDoc": "SKILL.md", "includedAssets": [ "README.md", "SKILL.md", "package-lock.json", "package.json", "scripts/metra.mjs" ], "downloadMode": "redirect", "sourceHealth": { "source": "tencent", "slug": "metra", "status": "healthy", "reason": "direct_download_ok", "recommendedAction": "download", "checkedAt": "2026-05-02T10:57:49.172Z", "expiresAt": "2026-05-09T10:57:49.172Z", "httpStatus": 200, "finalUrl": "https://wry-manatee-359.convex.site/api/v1/download?slug=metra", "contentType": "application/zip", "probeMethod": "head", "details": { "probeUrl": "https://wry-manatee-359.convex.site/api/v1/download?slug=metra", "contentDisposition": "attachment; filename=\"metra-1.0.0.zip\"", "redirectLocation": null, "bodySnippet": null, "slug": "metra" }, "scope": "item", "summary": "Item download looks usable.", "detail": "Yavira can redirect you to the upstream package for this item.", "primaryActionLabel": "Download for OpenClaw", "primaryActionHref": "/downloads/metra" }, "validation": { "installChecklist": [ "Use the Yavira download entry.", "Review SKILL.md after the package is downloaded.", "Confirm the extracted package contains the expected setup assets." ], "postInstallChecks": [ "Confirm the extracted package includes the expected docs or setup files.", "Validate the skill or prompts are available in your target agent workspace.", "Capture any manual follow-up steps the agent could not complete." ] } }, "links": { "detailUrl": "https://openagent3.xyz/skills/metra", "downloadUrl": "https://openagent3.xyz/downloads/metra", "agentUrl": "https://openagent3.xyz/skills/metra/agent", "manifestUrl": "https://openagent3.xyz/skills/metra/agent.json", "briefUrl": "https://openagent3.xyz/skills/metra/agent.md" } } ``` ## Documentation ### Chicago Metra Commuter Rail Real-time Chicago Metra commuter rail data — train arrivals (GTFS-RT protobuf), vehicle positions, service alerts, schedule info, and fare calculation for all 11 Metra lines serving the six-county northeastern Illinois region. Requires a free API key for all feeds. ### When to Use User asks about Metra, Chicago commuter rail, or commuter trains in Chicago User asks "when is the next train" in a Chicago suburban context User mentions specific Metra lines: BNSF, UP-N, UP-NW, UP-W, MD-N, MD-W, ME (Metra Electric), RI (Rock Island), NCS, HC (Heritage Corridor), SWS (SouthWest Service) User mentions specific Metra stations: Union Station, Ogilvie, Millennium Station, LaSalle Street, Naperville, Aurora, Downers Grove, Evanston, Highland Park, etc. User asks about Metra service alerts, delays, or construction User asks about Metra fares, zones, monthly passes, Ventra User asks about Chicago train schedules (distinguish from CTA "L" trains — Metra is commuter rail) ### When NOT to Use User asks about CTA trains (the "L"), CTA buses, or Pace buses — those are separate systems User asks about Amtrak long-distance trains at Union Station ### Data Sources Metra uses standard GTFS-RT protobuf feeds served from a single base URL with Bearer token authentication. No proprietary extensions — clean standard GTFS-RT. ### GTFS Realtime Feeds (Protobuf, requires METRA_API_KEY) Get a free key at: https://metra.com/developers FeedEndpointDescriptionTrip UpdatesGET /gtfs/public/tripupdatesReal-time arrival/departure predictionsVehicle PositionsGET /gtfs/public/positionsGPS locations of active trainsAlertsGET /gtfs/public/alertsService alerts, delays, construction notices Base URL: https://gtfspublic.metrarr.com Authentication: Authorization: Bearer {METRA_API_KEY} header. Data updates every 30 seconds. No need to poll more frequently. ### GTFS Static Feed FeedURLGTFS Static (zip)https://schedules.metrarail.com/gtfs/schedule.zipPublished timestamphttps://schedules.metrarail.com/gtfs/published.txt Static schedule updates regularly (sometimes within 24 hours). New scheduled updates publish at 3:00 AM. ### Important Notes from Metra If realtime data is unavailable for a trip, assume the static schedule is correct Vehicle positions may drop when trains are underground or at terminals (GPS loss) Trip updates may be provided hours in advance for annulled or added trains If an alert is in the feed, it's active; if it's not, it's no longer active (regardless of active_period) ### Script: scripts/metra.mjs Main entry point. Supports these commands: # Train arrivals node scripts/metra.mjs arrivals --station "Union Station" node scripts/metra.mjs arrivals --station "Naperville" --line BNSF node scripts/metra.mjs arrivals --station "Ogilvie" node scripts/metra.mjs arrivals --station "Millennium Station" --line ME # Vehicle tracking node scripts/metra.mjs vehicles --line BNSF node scripts/metra.mjs vehicles --line UP-N node scripts/metra.mjs vehicles --line ME # Service alerts node scripts/metra.mjs alerts node scripts/metra.mjs alerts --line BNSF node scripts/metra.mjs alerts --line RI # Routes and stops node scripts/metra.mjs routes node scripts/metra.mjs stops --search "downers grove" node scripts/metra.mjs stops --line BNSF node scripts/metra.mjs stops --near 41.8781,-87.6298 node scripts/metra.mjs route-info --line UP-NW # Fares node scripts/metra.mjs fares node scripts/metra.mjs fares --from "Union Station" --to "Naperville" # Schedule node scripts/metra.mjs schedule --station "Naperville" node scripts/metra.mjs schedule --station "Ogilvie" --line UP-N # Maintenance node scripts/metra.mjs refresh-gtfs ### Setup: API Key All Metra feeds require authentication: Register for a free key at https://metra.com/developers Set environment variable: METRA_API_KEY ### Setup: GTFS Static Data On first use, run node scripts/metra.mjs refresh-gtfs to download and extract the static GTFS data (routes, stops, schedules) to ~/.metra/gtfs/. Refresh periodically or when Metra updates their schedule. ### Metra Lines Reference Line CodeLine NameColorDowntown TerminalOuter TerminalBNSFBNSF RailwayOrangeUnion Station (CUS)AuroraMEMetra ElectricTealMillennium StationUniversity Park / South Chicago / Blue IslandHCHeritage CorridorPurpleUnion Station (CUS)JolietMD-NMilwaukee District NorthLight GreenUnion Station (CUS)Fox LakeMD-WMilwaukee District WestLight GreenUnion Station (CUS)Elburn / Big TimberNCSNorth Central ServiceGoldUnion Station (CUS)AntiochRIRock IslandRedLaSalle Street StationJolietSWSSouthWest ServiceDark PurpleUnion Station (CUS)ManhattanUP-NUnion Pacific NorthDark GreenOgilvie Transportation Center (OTC)KenoshaUP-NWUnion Pacific NorthwestBlueOgilvie Transportation Center (OTC)Harvard / McHenryUP-WUnion Pacific WestBlueOgilvie Transportation Center (OTC)Elburn ### Downtown Terminal Stations Chicago Union Station (CUS) — Zone 1 — BNSF, HC, MD-N, MD-W, NCS, SWS Ogilvie Transportation Center (OTC) — Zone 1 — UP-N, UP-NW, UP-W LaSalle Street Station — Zone 1 — RI Millennium Station — Zone 1 — ME ### Metra Fares Reference (4-Zone System, effective Feb 2024) Ticket TypeZones 1-2Zones 1-2-3Zones 1-2-3-4Zones 2-3-4 (no downtown)One-Way$3.75$5.50$6.75$3.75Day Pass$7.50$11.00$13.50$7.50Day Pass 5-Pack$35.75$52.25$64.25$35.75Monthly Pass$75.00$110.00$135.00$75.00 Special Passes: Saturday/Sunday/Holiday Day Pass: $7.00 (systemwide) Weekend Pass (Ventra app only): $10.00 (systemwide) Regional Connect Pass (with Monthly): $30.00 (adds CTA + Pace) Onboard Surcharge (cash on train): $5.00 Monthly Passes are valid for unlimited rides on weekdays between selected zones and systemwide on weekends. ### Tips for Users Metra uses inbound (toward downtown Chicago) and outbound (away from downtown) for directions Train numbers matter — Metra riders often know their train by number (e.g., "the 7:42 BNSF" or "Train 1252") Different lines use different downtown terminals — always note which terminal Peak trains run during rush hours; off-peak and weekend service is less frequent If real-time data is unavailable, the schedule command shows static times Use --line to filter by specific Metra line code (BNSF, UP-N, etc.) ### Error Handling If METRA_API_KEY is not set, all commands print a helpful message with the signup URL Invalid station names show "No matching station found" with a suggestion to use stops --search No real-time data available → fall back to static schedule with a note Network errors produce friendly messages GPS dropout for vehicle positions → note that train may be underground or at terminal ### Response Formatting When presenting transit info to the user: Lead with the most actionable info (next arrival time, active alerts) Show line name AND train number (e.g., "BNSF Train 1252 inbound") Show times in 12-hour format with AM/PM For arrivals: show both real-time ETA and scheduled time when available Always note the downtown terminal for the line If there are active service alerts for the line being queried, mention them ### External Endpoints EndpointData SentData Receivedgtfspublic.metrarr.com/gtfs/public/tripupdatesAPI key (Bearer header, HTTPS)Trip updates (Protobuf)gtfspublic.metrarr.com/gtfs/public/positionsAPI key (Bearer header, HTTPS)Vehicle positions (Protobuf)gtfspublic.metrarr.com/gtfs/public/alertsAPI key (Bearer header, HTTPS)Service alerts (Protobuf)schedules.metrarail.com/gtfs/schedule.zipNone (GET only)GTFS static data (ZIP)schedules.metrarail.com/gtfs/published.txtNone (GET only)Schedule publish timestamp (text) All API calls use HTTPS. The API key is passed as a Bearer token in the Authorization header. No other user data is transmitted. ### Security & Privacy API key required — All GTFS-RT feeds require a free developer key passed as a Bearer token in the Authorization header No user data transmitted — Requests contain only the API key; no personal information Local storage only — GTFS static data is cached locally at ~/.metra/gtfs/; no data is written elsewhere No telemetry — This skill does not phone home or collect usage data Input handling — Stop names and route IDs from user input are used only for local filtering, never interpolated into shell commands ### Trust Statement This skill reads publicly available transit data from Metra's official GTFS-RT feeds. The API key is used only for Metra API authentication. The skill does not access, store, or transmit any personal information beyond the API key configured by the user. ## Trust - Source: tencent - Verification: Indexed source record - Publisher: brianleach - Version: 1.0.0 ## Source health - Status: healthy - Item download looks usable. - Yavira can redirect you to the upstream package for this item. - Health scope: item - Reason: direct_download_ok - Checked at: 2026-05-02T10:57:49.172Z - Expires at: 2026-05-09T10:57:49.172Z - Recommended action: Download for OpenClaw ## Links - [Detail page](https://openagent3.xyz/skills/metra) - [Send to Agent page](https://openagent3.xyz/skills/metra/agent) - [JSON manifest](https://openagent3.xyz/skills/metra/agent.json) - [Markdown brief](https://openagent3.xyz/skills/metra/agent.md) - [Download page](https://openagent3.xyz/downloads/metra)